Penn State Brandywine Women's Volleyball

Bio 2017 Penn State Brandywine graduate Emily Benn completed her fourth season as head volleyball coach at her alma mater in 2025. In four seasons at Brandywine, Benn has led the Lions to 43 victories and three postseason appearances, including the team's first-ever United East Tournament bid in 2025. Individually, five Brandywine volleyball student-athletes have earned all-conference honors. Laura Jezyk was also named conference setter of the year following the 2022 season. Benn was a four-year member of the Lions’ volleyball team from 2012-16. A veteran of 96 matches as a defensive specialist, Benn helped Brandywine to four postseason appearances, including the team’s first-ever Penn State University Athletic Conference championship in 2015. Benn earned all-conference recognition following her senior season after finishing fourth in the conference in digs. The four-time PSUAC All-Academic Team honoree graduated in 2017 with a degree in human development and family studies. Benn returned to Brandywine following a five-year stint as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Immaculata University. While with the Might Macs, Benn assisted in all aspects of the program during her five years with the team. Benn began her coaching career at Harcum College during the 2017-18 academic year. She also has coached in the club ranks with Sparks Volleyball. Coach Battista Year-by-Year Year Overall Conf. Notables 2025 12-12 6-4 United East quarterfinals 2024 6-18 3-7 First season of Division III 2023 12-8 9-3 PSUAC quarterfinals 2022 13-10 9-3 PSUAC semifinals Total 43-48 27-17    

Bio Alex Vitale returned for her second stint as an assistant coach at Penn State Brandywine in 2023. Vitale is a 2014 graduate of Penn State Brandywine following a four-year playing career with the Lions. She served an assistant coach from 2015-16 at Brandywine.

Bio 2017 Penn State Brandywine graduate Kelsey Zober finished her fourth season on the Lions' coaching staff in 2025. Zober, a four-time PSUAC All-Academic Team selection, graduated with a degree in psychology after competing in four season of volleyball at Brandywine. From 2013-17, Zober helped Brandywine reach three PSUAC Championship matches and capture its first-ever league crown in 2015. Zober is entering her ninth year as a coach with Sparks Volleyball Club. She has also coached boys club volleyball at Volleyball Performance Academy and volunteered as a youth volleyball coach with children ages 6-10.

Bio Two-time all-American Nikki Poissant began her tenure as an assistant coach at her alma mater in 2022 and finished her fourth season with the Lions in 2025. Poissant, also a two-time PSUAC Player of the Year and four-time all-conference standout, was a member of two PSUAC Championship-winning teams from 2015-18. The only two-time all-American in team history, Poissant set the team record for kills (912) during her 113-match career. Poissant spent five years coaching club volleyball with Sparks Volleyball, where she prepared practice plans and game strategy, while leading agility training. She also served as a volunteer coach for CYO varsity volleyball from 2014-19. A three-time Academic All-PSUAC performer, Poissant graduated from Brandywine in 2019 with a degree in human development and family studies. She is currently employed at West Chester University as a talent acquisition specialist in the human resources department. Poissant has continued to stay active in volleyball as she competes in grass/beach doubles, quads and women's six tournaments along the east coast.  

Bio JJ Ruhl concluded his second season as an assistant coach for the Penn State Brandywine volleyball team in 2025.